Sliding keyboard carrier

ABSTRACT

A sliding keyboard carrier for use in a computer table is disclosed to include a base frame adapted to carry a keyboard panel in and out of the computer table along two rails, a locking bar supported on the base frame by springs and adapted to lock the base frame in the extended position, and a handle frame fastened pivotally with the base frame and adapted to release the locking bar.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a computer table and, more specifically, to a sliding keyboard carrier for use in a computer table.

2. Description of the Related Art

A computer table is equipped with a sliding keyboard carrier for carrying a computer keyboard. The sliding keyboard carrier comprises a plurality of rollers symmetrically provided at two opposite lateral sides and respectively supported in two parallel rails. The user can move the sliding keyboard carrier in and out of the computer table between the extended position and the received position. However, conventional computer table of this design has no means to lock the sliding keyboard carrier in the extended position. When operating the keyboard, the user may push the sliding keyboard carrier backwards to the inside of the computer table accidentally.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been accomplished under the circumstances in view. It is the main object of the present invention to provide a sliding keyboard carrier for use in a computer table to carry a keyboard, which is equipped with a locking device for locking in the extended position. It is another object of the present invention to provide a sliding keyboard carrier for use in a computer table to carry a keyboard, which can easily be operated to unlock the locking device.

To achieve these and other objects of the present invention, the sliding keyboard carrier is mounted in a computer table below a table top frame member and movable along two parallel rails in the computer table below the table top frame member, comprising: a base frame movable along the rails, the base frame having mounted with a keyboard panel for holding a computer keyboard; a positioning structure mounted on the base frame and adapted to lock the base frame, the positioning structure comprising a vertically movable locking bar for engaging in locking holes provided at the rails to lock the base frame after the base frame has been moved along the rails to a predetermined position; and a handle frame fastened pivotally with the base frame for operation by the user to release the locating bar from the locking holes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a sliding keyboard carrier according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an assembly view of the sliding keyboard carrier according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an installed view of the present invention showing the installation of the sliding keyboard carrier in the rails of the table top frame member (I).

FIG. 4 is an installed view of the present invention showing the installation of the sliding keyboard carrier in the rails of the table top frame member (II) FIG. 5 is an installed view of the present invention showing the installation of the sliding keyboard carrier in the rails of the table top frame member (III

FIG. 6A is a schematic sectional view of the present invention, showing movement of the sliding keyboard along the rails (I).

FIG. 6B is a schematic sectional view of the present invention, showing movement of the sliding keyboard along the rails (II).

FIG. 6C is a schematic sectional view of the present invention, showing movement of the sliding keyboard along the rails (III).

FIG. 7 is a schematic sectional view of the present invention, showing the handlebar lifted, the locking bar unlocked.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, a sliding keyboard carrier is shown comprised of a base frame 10, a sliding plate 20, a positioning structure 30, and a handle frame 41.

The base frame 10 comprises two upright rods 11, a carrier frame bar 14, and two locating rods 16. The carrier frame bar 14 is a substantially U-shaped frame bar, having a smoothly arched middle part 141 horizontally disposed at the front side. The two free ends of the U-shaped carrier frame bar 14 are disposed at the rear side and respectively fixedly connected to the bottom ends of the upright rods 11. The carrier frame bar 14 is affixed to the bottom side of a keyboard panel 200 for carrying a keyboard in a computer table (see also FIGS. 6 and 7). The locating rods 16 are respectively perpendicularly extended from the top ends of the upright rods 11 in direction reversed to the U-shaped carrier frame bar 14, each having a plurality of through holes 161.

The sliding plate 20 comprises a plurality of vertical female screws 21 downwardly extended from the bottom side and respectively inserted through respective the through holes 161 of the locating rods 16 and then affixed thereto with respective screws 22, a plurality of horizontal roller holders 23 symmetrically disposed at two opposite lateral sides, and a plurality of rollers 24 respectively fastened pivotally with the roller holders 23 and supported in two parallel rails 25 in the computer table for enabling the sliding keyboard carrier to be moved back and forth along the rails 25.

The positioning structure 30 comprises a vertical spring support 31, a locking bar 35, and two locating plates 36 (see also FIGS. 4˜7). The vertical spring support 31 comprises two cylindrical outer barrels 32 respectively affixed to the upright rods 11 of the base frame 10 below the locating rods 16, two cylindrical inner barrels 33 respectively affixed to the locking bar 35 and respectively movably inserted into the outer barrels 32 from the top side, and two compression springs 34 respectively mounted in between the outer barrels 32 and the inner barrels 33. The locking bar 35 has two distal ends symmetrically curved upwards and terminating in a respective locking tip 351. The two locating plates 36 are respectively affixed to the rails 25 near the front side of the table frame 100 of the computer table, each having a locking hole 361 adapted to receive the locking tips 351 of the locking bar 35 (this will be described further). The locating plates 36 have a respective rear side curved upwards.

The handle frame 41 is pivotally provided between the two upright rods 11, comprising a shaft 42 horizontally connected between the upright rods 11, a sleeve 43 sleeved onto the shaft 42 before installation of the shaft 42, and a substantially U-shaped handlebar 411 fixedly fastened to the sleeve 43. The handlebar 411 has two free ends 412 respectively pressed on the locking bar 35. Further, one locating rod 16 is provided with a pressure pin 162, which is pressed on one free end 412 of the handlebar 411 against the locking bar 35, holding the handle frame 41 in position.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, t the base frame 10 is coupled to the rails 25 below the table top frame member 200 by means of the rollers 24. The rails 25 each have an opening 251. During installation, the rollers 24 are respectively inserted through the openings 251 in the rails 25 and fastened to the roller holders 23 of the sliding plate 20. FIG. 3 shows the outer appearance of the table top frame member 100, and a shield 101 covering the rails 25 (see also FIG. 5).

As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, by means of the rollers 24, the base frame 10 can be moved back and forth along the rails 25. When pulling the base frame 10 outwards, the carrier frame bar 14 with the keyboard panel 200 are moved out of the front side of the table top frame member 100 for operation. On the contrary, when pushing the base frame 10 backwards, the carrier frame bar 14 with the keyboard panel 200 are received below the table top frame member 100.

FIG. 6A is a sectional view, showing the base frame 10 moved along the rails 25 by means of the rollers 24.

Referring to FIG. 6B, when moving the base frame 10 forwards toward the front side of the table top frame member 100, the locking tips 351 of the locking bar 35 are respectively forced into contact with the upwardly curved rear sides of the locating plates 36 and guided downwards by the locating plates 36 to compress the compression springs 34, for enabling the locking tips 351 to pass over the locating plates 36.

FIG. 6C shows the base frame 10 moved to the front side of the table top frame member 100, the locking tips 351 passed over the upwardly curved rear sides of the locating plates 36 and forced by the upward pressure of the compression springs 34 into the locking holes 361 of the locating plates 36. Therefore, the base frame 10 is locked. At this time, the e carrier frame bar 14 and the keyboard panel 200 are extended out of the front side of the table top frame member 100 for operation.

Referring to FIG. 7, when unlocking the base frame 10, lift the handlebar 41 to turn the free ends 412 of the handlebar 411 downwards, thereby causing the locking bar 35 to be lowered to disengage the locking tips 351 from the locking holes 361. At this time, the user can push the base frame 10 backwards from the received position.

As indicated above, the invention allows the keyboard panel 200 to be moved in and out of the table top frame member 100. When extended out, the positioning structure 30 locks the keyboard panel 200 in the extended position. Unlocking the keyboard panel 200 is easily achieved by means of lifting the handlebar 141 of the handle frame 14.

A prototype of sliding keyboard carrier has been constructed with the features of FIGS. 1˜7. The sliding keyboard carrier functions smoothly to provide all of the features discussed earlier.

Although a particular embodiment of the invention has been described in detail for purposes of illustration, various modifications and enhancements may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be limited except as by the appended claims. 

1. A sliding keyboard carrier mounted in a computer table below a table top frame member and movable along two parallel rails in the computer table below said table top frame member, the sliding keyboard carrier comprising: a base frame movable along said rails, said base frame having mounted with a keyboard panel for holding a computer keyboard; a positioning structure mounted on said base frame and adapted to lock said base frame, said positioning structure comprising a vertically movable locking bar for engaging in locking holes provided at said rails to lock said base frame after said base frame has been moved along said rails to a predetermined position; and a handle frame fastened pivotally with said base frame for operation by the user to release said locating bar from said locking holes.
 2. The sliding keyboard carrier as claimed in claim 1, wherein said base frame comprises two upright rods, a carrier frame bar horizontally forwardly extended from said upright rods, and two locating rods horizontally backwardly extended from said upright rods above the elevation of said carrier frame bar.
 3. The sliding keyboard carrier as claimed in claim 2, wherein said carrier frame bar is a substantially U-shaped frame bar having two distal ends respectively perpendicularly connected a respective bottom end of said upright rods.
 4. The sliding keyboard carrier as claimed in claim 3, wherein said carrier frame base has a top side affixed to said support said keyboard panel.
 5. The sliding keyboard carrier as claimed in claim 2, wherein said locating rods are respectively movably coupled to said rails to guide movement of said base frame along said rails.
 6. The sliding keyboard carrier as claimed in claim 5, wherein said locating rods hold a fixed sliding plate, said sliding plate having two opposite lateral sides respectively movably supported on said rails.
 7. The sliding keyboard carrier as claimed in claim 6, wherein said sliding plate comprises a plurality of downward female screws respectively inserted through respective through holes in said locating rods and fixed thereto with screws.
 8. The sliding keyboard carrier as claimed in claim 7, wherein said sliding plate comprises a plurality of roller holders symmetrically provided at the two opposite lateral sides, and a plurality of rollers respectively pivoted to said roller holders and supported in said rails.
 9. The sliding keyboard carrier as claimed in claim 8, wherein said rails each have an opening near a respective rear end.
 10. The sliding keyboard carrier as claimed in claim 1, wherein said positioning structure further comprises a vertical spring support supporting said locking bar on said base frame.
 11. The sliding keyboard carrier as claimed in claim 10, wherein said vertical spring support comprises two vertical outer barrels respectively affixed to said upright rods, two vertical inner barrels affixed to said locking bar and respectively inserted into said vertical outer barrels, and two spring members respectively mounted in between said vertical outer barrels and said vertical inner barrels.
 12. The sliding keyboard carrier as claimed in claim 11, wherein said positioning structure further comprises two locating plates respectively fixedly fastened to said rails and defining said locking holes.
 13. The sliding keyboard carrier as claimed in claim 12, wherein said locating plates each have a rear side curved upwards.
 14. The sliding keyboard carrier as claimed in claim 2, wherein said handle frame comprises a pivot shaft assembly provided between said upright rods, and a handlebar connected to said pivot shaft assembly and turnable about the axis of said pivot shaft assembly.
 15. The sliding keyboard carrier as claimed in claim 14, wherein said pivot shaft assembly comprises a shaft fixedly connected between said upright rods, and a sleeve sleeved onto said shaft between said upright rods and fixedly fastened to said handlebar.
 16. The sliding keyboard carrier as claimed in claim 15, wherein said base frame comprises a pressure pin stopped above one rear end of said handlebar. 